Motorcycling has it's own language. This week on MCrider we will discuss 20 common motorcycle terms that may not be common for new riders.
Here are some common motorcycle terms used in this video. Let's continue the discussion on the forums.
Counter Steering
A motorcycle turns by leaning, the way we make the motorcycle lean is by counter steering. This works at road speeds, let’s say 15 MPH and up.
So if I want to tun right I push out or down on the right handgrip. This makes the motorcycle lean right and turn right. Want to go left, push out, or down on the left handgrip. The motorcycle leans left and turns left.
Counter Balance
When making slow speed turns it is a good idea to counterbalance. So if I am turning right, I shift body weight to the left side of the motorcycle to help balance the weight of the motorcycle.
This will help you lean the motorcycle further because by adjusting your body weight on the motorcycle you are keeping the center of gravity for you and the machine in balance.
Friction Zone
If I squeeze the clutch all the way in I have removed all power from the engine. If I release it all the way with the motorcycle in gear it has full power to the engine. But, it if I have the motorcycle in gear, the clutch all the way squeezed and I slowly release the clutch I will slowly get power to the engine. That place in the clutch where I am getting partial power to the engine is the friction zone.
The friction zone is used to control starting out on the motorcycle and especially during slow-speed maneuvers. It allows you to control the power of the engine in a very smooth manner.
Lean Angle
Lean angle is the amount of lean that a motorcycle has during a turn. The more lean angle or the greater amount of lean a motorcycle has allows it to turn faster and sharper through the turn.
Trail Braking
Trail braking is a braking technique in which the rider applies the brakes prior to a corner but then remains on the front brake into the corner. This slight amount of brake pressure helps keep the motorcycle more balanced, keeps weight on the front tire to increase traction, and shortens the wheelbase of the motorcycle to help it turn sharper.
ABS
ABS stands for Anti Lock Brakes. ABS is a great safety feature on a motorcycle and keeps the front and or rear tire from locking up and skidding in a stop. So it doesn’t matter if you panic and over apply the brakes or the tire hits a slick spot on the road. The ABS system will keep the tires from locking up.
One misconception about ABS. It does nothing to help the motorcycle stop quicker. Only our braking skills and physics can help the motorcycle stop in a shorter distance. ABS keeps the tires from locking up and thus keep you from crashing…it does not shorten the stopping distance.
Cornering ABS
Ah, cornering ABS…what is that? Cornering ABS is a newer technology that takes into account the lean angle of the motorcycle when you apply the brakes. Plain ABS is good at keeping the tires from locking when the motorcycle is straight up and down, cornering ABS can help save the day when the motorcycle is leaned over in a corner.
Traction Control
Traction control keeps the rear tire from spinning if the throttle is over applied…no burnouts when traction control is in effect.
Once on the Goldwing, I was accelerating onto a two-lane highway and I hit a patch of oil with the rear tire of the motorcycle. Instead of the tire spinning and me potentially crashing. The traction control kicked in and cut the power to the rear wheel. Once traction was restored the power was returned and off I went. This all happened in a fraction of a second but I was glad the feature was there.
Highside
A high side crash occurs when the rear tire of the motorcycle loses traction is a corner and then suddenly regains traction usually because the rider chops off the throttle or the brake causing the rider to be thrown over the high side of the motorcycle.
Lowside
In a low side crash, the motorcycle loses traction in a corner and the loss traction causes the motorcycle to slide out from under the rider. Although neither crash is ideal, a low side crash is preferable to a high side crash for many reasons.
The rider does not fall as far to the pavement and they are behind the momentum of the motorcycle in the crash in a low side crash. In a high side, you are thrown over the top and now you are sliding on the road with the motorcycle tumbling behind you…not a good place to be.
Squid
Not a flattering term. A squid is usually used to describe an overconfident new rider who does not wear gear or any protective equipment. Squids are usually reserved for sportbike riders but there are squids on cruisers too.
Tank Slapper
A tank slapper can be caused by a variety of issues. A flat tire, an unevenly loaded motorcycle, a motorcycle carrying more weight than it was designed for or problem with the front forks. A tank slipper occurs when then the front tire and handlebars vibrate quickly and violently from side to side. It can be a terrifying experience, sometimes it resolves on its own, sometimes it leads to a crash.
Twisties
Ah the twisties, it is what every motorcycle is looking for. It means nothing more than a curvy road and for a skilled motorcyclist a lot of fun.
ADV
ADV stands for adventure. An ADV bike is an adventure motorcycle like the BMW GS or Honda Africa Twin. They are bikes suitable for long-distance travel and can be ridden off-road as well.
ATGATT
ATGATT is a term that stands for All the Gear All the Time. You can expect to see a rider who says they are ATGATT with a full-face helmet, jacket, riding pants, boots, and gloves every time they mount up on a motorcycle.
Cafe Racer
This term was coined in the UK where back in the day riders would mod out there motorcycle with loud pipes, lowered handlebars, and rear set pegs and race around town. Usually from Cafe to Cafe in the hopes of picking up girls or just showing off the ride. Today, it is usually a reference to a style of motorcycle that carries on some of the traditions of the ockers back in the day.
Bar Hopper
A bar hopper is a term used to describe a motorcycle that would be used for riding from bar to bar. Go to one bar have a drink or two, mount up on the bar hopper and ride down to the next bar.
Bar hoppers live a dangerous life and when not found parked at the bar, parts of them can be found in many salvage yards across the country.
Cager
A cager is a term used to describe a driver of a car. They are riding in a cage.
Get-off
For a motorcyclist, a get-off is a crash. It is not like getting off the motorcycle at the rest area…it is crashing the motorcycle and getting off the motorcycle in a less than favorable way.
I had to lay it down
One of my favorite motorcycle terms. What the rider is attempting to say is their amazing skill as a motorcyclist allowed them to lock up the tires and gently lay the motorcycle down on its side rather than hitting an object in the road, a car that pulled in front of them or a corner that was sharper than expected.
